Wow.
The past few months have been a freaking rollercoaster of emotions, but the past two weeks have been all on the up! Two weeks ago, I accepted an offer for a new job that I start tomorrow, Ashley came back for a visit, my mom and I saw Newsies and then I followed the star of Bethlehem to the Runner’s World Half Marathon and Festival. (Disclosure: My travel, lodging, some meals, my race entries and some awesome swag were provided by Runner’s World. All opinions and sore abs from laughing are my own.)
I smiled when I finished the three races. (Yup, 3. 5K, 10K and a half-marathon. And a three-mile shakeout on Friday and 6 miles before the half today.)
I cried when Boston Marathon Race Director Dave McGillivray spoke, about the Boston Marathon bombings and a touching story about a disabled woman who ran her own version of the Boston Marathon a few years ago.
I nearly cried during the half today at my fatigued legs and lack of mental resolve, but then I pulled myself together.
Photo credit: Jocelyn
My heart filled seeing friends who’d moved (also Erica, who I did not get a picture of) and seeing friends freaking kill it in the races and friends who were coming back from pregnancy or injury.
I met former pro swimmer Summer Sanders, who may be the most down-to-earth famous person I’ve ever met. I walked up to her and went to shake her hand before this picture, and she gave me a hug instead.
We are new BFFs.
Katy was the best roomie a girl could ask for; we laughed our heads off and had serious talk late into the night, and there are few people I know with a heart as big as hers.
We visited the Runner’s World headquarters and hung out in Bart Yasso and David Willey’s offices.
And, in 31 miles and nonstop talk about running this weekend, I solidified my love for the sport and the people it attracts.
Every single person I interacted with this weekend was so inspirational. We all run for different reasons, and we all have obstacles that can stand in the way of our training, but we just keep going out there and fighting for it.
AND NOW I’M IN TAPER TOWN. I came home from the weekend to find this gift from my sweet friend Lacey.
Just two more weeks until the New York City Marathon, and the hay is in the barn, and it’s time to rest up these legs.
And not a moment too soon. My calves are crying mercy.
I’ll be posting more about the weekend over the next week or so, but I wanted to get up a taste of this wonderful weekend.
Thank you so much to Runner’s World for inviting me and making this all possible!
Why do you run? Why do you love running? Would you ever do back-to-back-to-back races??
The idea of back-to-back races has always intrigued me, but I’ve never had the courage to do it. Nice job!
It’s gotta be easier than an Ironman 🙂 The 5K/10K back to back were fine, but the half was really tough both physically and mentally.
Nice job on the races! Started running to get healthy but kept going because I like the feeling of accomplishment. I saw the RW Festival for Boston in June so considering the 3 back to back races!
That’s what kept me going! The RW Festival in Boston looks like an awesome time, too!
@Theodora: I am signing up for the one in Boston. You should totally come do it! 🙂
This weekend sounds like an absolute blast. That is a crap ton of miles to do in one weekend. Back to back to back races sounds fun (and tiring) to me. I’d even settle for back to back races. I’m excited to hear more about the races and weekend.
You guys looked like you were having so much fun!!! This sounds like an absolutely amazing weekend.
Good luck today!!
It was so much fun! I miss you, please come back!
Sounds like an absolute blast! Congrats on getting to the taper. Can’t wait to be in NYC for the marathon in two weeks to cheer everyone on!
It really looks like you girls had an amazing weekend! Such an accomplishment to run all of those races and miles. I really don’t know that I would run back to back races. I never gave it much thought before! It has got to be tough on the mind and body, quite a challenge. Be proud and rest up.
It was most difficult on the mind, though my legs are pretty exhausted!
Congrats on a great weekend of racing. Congrats on the new job! Loved reading this. Taper Town is lucky to have you before you crush NYCM!
First, congrats on the acceptance of the new job!
Secondly, I was so so excited to see you were attending this as I had a feeling that you’d get so much out of it. You just look so happy in all of the photos. Try (!!) to enjoy your taper – you’re going to rock that marathon.
I LOOOOOOVE this post. Love it.
First, I love that you got a job!!! I hope it is awesome and I am so excited for you. GOOD LUCK!
Second, I love that you got to have this weekend experience. Running is such a huge part of your life and having a few days devoted to all things running and feeling so much love for it is probably the best push you could get as you go into your taper and get ready to race.
Hugs!
So happy to hear that things have been on the up and up! Loved following all this fun on instagram!! What an amazing weekend!
What an amazing weekend! You rocked those miles! I’m interested in back to back races, but a bit petrified!
Honestly, I run because it is FUN! The people you met, the way you feel after a race, the sense of accomplishment etc etc everything makes me love running.
Congrats on the new job as well. Hope to see you at the NYCM!
This is awesome, I recently had my own “oh yea… Running IS great” epiphany the other day because there are weeks when I feel like Im struggling through or running because Im too stubborn to quit and there’s nothing better than realizing that you actually love it. (I dont know if I could ever do back to back to back though… great job!)
Running makes me feel strong, and capable. It seriously amazes me everytime I have a new PDR, PR or tough run. It’s a feeling I really only get from running, so I am sticking with it 😉
Congrats on the new job and rocking the RW hat trick! It sounds so awesome from all the reports I’ve been reading.
That is so awesome! Congrats Theodora. I ran the 10k on Saturday, I NEVER thought I would do back to back races, but after all the excitement and seeing how many people did it this past weekend, I am thinking about the 5 and dime next yr! No half yet…but who knows..we will see! Great job!
Yep – STILL impressed you guys did 6-7mi before the half on Sunday. My brain/legs just can’t comprehend that 😉
Congrats on making it through the training cycle! Smooth sailing & taper-madness await you!
I couldn’t agree more that this weekend was really just fuel to the fire – inspiration to train hard, push limits, and embrace the RUN. So glad we all got to be there together!
You should be super proud of your runner legs. I’m envious of your super toned thighs in the pic with you throwing your arm in the air! Rock it girl!
So glad to hear that you have fallen back in love with running 🙂 I need to do that myself! Looks like it was an amazing event, and great weather. I loved Summer Sanders growing up – and I love that she’s such a runner now 🙂
Love this recap lady and I can totally relate to the crying — I cried during Dave’s key-note and there were definitely some tears while I was watching all the runner’s finish the half. The couples holding hands through the finish totally did me in.
It was so great to see you this weekend. You always put a smile on my face. 🙂
I hope your first week at your new job is going amazing so far.
Aw <3 Best comment ever, lady. I FREAKING SOBBED DURING HIS KEYNOTE.
It was so great to see you too!!!
The theme of falling in love with running, or back in love, is becoming a trend among most of us who was there. It’s certainly tough to find the right words to describe the whole experience, so I’m enjoying seeing everyone’s posts about it!